Advise on switching citalopram to night

[goawayanxiety]

Hello everyone!
I have been on citalopram for just about two weeks now, and am up to 10mg daily, soon to move to 15mg. Sometimes I think I may be feeling positive effects, sometimes not so sure. I also take xanax through the day to help with the always present anxiety. I take the citalopram in the morning. My mornings usually start around 4 am with anxiety and rapid heart beats that make it hard if not impossible to get back or stay asleep. For the next few hours I am jittery and shakey, nauseous, vomiting, and anxious.  I have noticed that I seem to feel the best in the evening. I have been wondering if taking the citalopram at night may help. Maybe it would give me a better effect for the chunk of my day, rather then just in the evening. But I am also not sure if it is the citalopram getting into my system or just by that point in the day I have had three .25 xanax and the meds reached a good level. I am in need of any ones story or advise on how to go about switching. I am calling my prescribing doctor today too and have just started therapy, but hearing from real anxiety sufferers helps too. Thanks!!!

[Aunt_Gigi]

I've been taking Citalopram 20mg since March and recently my Dr. upped me to 30mg.  I've been taking it in the morning since that's when I take my BC and it was easiest to remember.  However, since going to 30mg I've really noticed the tiredness becoming much worse & relying on caffeine way too much to get through the day.  I work full-time and go to University full time so yawning & never feeling fully awake all day long was not working for me.  I read a LOT of message boards and decided to change the time of day I take it.  To minimize any adverse effects, today I will take it in the afternoon, then tomorrow at night.  Already at work I have more energy than I have had in weeks, so I'm hoping it will be an easy transition and I will start sleeping better at night too!

[goawayanxiety]

Thanks! I am trying to stick it out and get the benefit, but it is so hard. My anxiety was so bad over night I took a double dose of the xanax which I haven't had to do before.

[emcee223]

I took Citalopram for a long time without any side effects, 20 mg, although I was more comfortable with 10 mg.  I have anxiety about taking drugs-go figure.  It takes about 3 weeks to get the full effect of the drug and feel relief from symptoms.  If you felt better at 10 mg, you might want to stay there.  Just give it time to work--about another week for you.  The xanax should help into the Citalopram kicks in.  Hang in there.

[goawayanxiety]

Thanks for the reply, it is nice to hear from someone on the same meds. The last three days I have felt so terrible with the side effects. I am suppose to up the dosage to 17.5, but am worried the side effects will be even worse. Have you had side effects?

[lynn57]

Antidepressants are supposed to stay in your system at a conistent level.  Taking it at different times probably won't help.  Until you've reached the dose you need you can expect an increase in anxiety. The whole process takes time.  A month from now you should be feeling much better.  Hang in there.  I take it and it really helps.

[goawayanxiety]

I am glad to hear that it helped you. I took mine last night, but sure am having a bad morning so far. But, I had a bad morning yesterday and didn't take the med at night. I just hate not getting sleep and waking up paniced.

[goawayanxiety]

I started with an MD and had a few test run. I just saw her again yesterday and pushed for further tests. It seems like once doc hear anxiety they stop looking for anything else.

[remar]

I think it might be worth a try taking it at night for a couple of days to see how you do. I was afraid to do that but glad I did because it's working out good for me.

[emcee223]

Have you been to a regular MD and had any tests taken?  Sounds like more than anxiety to me.  

[goawayanxiety]

I am afraid that I will end up reacting badly and not sleep at night...shocker I found a new thing to be anxious about.

[remar]

I take my antidepressant at night because it makes me a little sleepy. I was taking it in the morning and it just was'nt working for me, as far as being tired during the day. I see no reason why you can't take it at night. You can always call your Dr to ask though. Your on a low dose and it does take time to get in to your system. Maybe upping it, like your getting ready to do will help more with your anxiety.